Clifton Webb delivers a performance full of arrogance and pomposity as his familiar "Belvedere" character. The story finds him needing to attend college to obtain a basic degree so he can collect a $10,000 prize, having previously exhausted the income from his published works on legal battles concerning libel. He easily passes the initial tests but struggles considerably when trying to get along with the much younger students around him. Complications arise with the introduction of budding school journalist "Ellen" (Shirley Temple), who is dealing with her own problems—being a widowed mother and navigating a relationship with “Bill” (Tom Drake), who’s still processing information about her personal life. The central character then attempts to balance his desire for discretion in order to receive his money while also acting as an intermediary between the two young people. While Temple performs acceptably, and Alan Young and Alvin Greenman provide some amusing moments typical of college fraternities, the film primarily serves to showcase Webb’s ability to maintain a level of sophistication even when placed within increasingly absurd situations. It's a memorable portrayal of what is admittedly an annoying man, made enjoyable over a briskly paced eighty minutes of sharp writing and delivery. The movie also pokes fun at aspects of college life, including the elitism of the professors and the silliness of campus social groups, which provides some amusement. However, the narrative loses momentum towards its conclusion, which is disappointing; despite this, it remains an enjoyable experience to see a talented comedic actor performing what he does best.

Source on TMDB